GREAT PLAINS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The title tilt in this league pitted the 2 seeds – the NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS – against the top seeded BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY CHARGERS. The Red Raiders shrugged off an early SEVENTEEN POINT DEFICIT and came back to seize a 46-44 lead over the Chargers by Halftime. After the break Northwestern College still had a fight on their hands but squeezed out a 95-89 victory led by Nathan Wedel’s 23 points. * THE RED RAIDERS ARE GPAC TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS * Continue reading
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The two teams who were still standing for this title tilt in the AII were the top seeded WASHINGTON ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY SHOCK and the 4 seeds – the ROCHESTER COLLEGE WARRIORS. A furious opening Half ended with the Shock clinging by their fingernails to a 34-33 edge. 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The top seeds – the CAL MARITIME ACADEMY KEELHAULERS – seek to extend their dominance of the California Pacific Conference when it comes to hoops. Their semifinal opponents were the 4th seeded UNIVERSITY OF ANTELOPE VALLEY PIONEERS, making their first post-season appearance in their very first year of eligibility. 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – This game pitted the 4th seeded OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS against the 3 seeds – the COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES. The Hustlin’ Owls put the Coyotes on Upset Alert by Halftime with a 34-26 advantage, then went on to consummate the deal by defeating College of Idaho by a final score of 75-69. Appropriately enough Joel Yellow Owl was the high scorer for Oregon Tech with his THIRTY-ONE points. 
SECOND SEMIFINAL – The 8 seeds – the CORBAN UNIVERSITY WARRIORS – remained the big story of the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament. In the Quarterfinals they became the first 8 seed in Conference history to defeat a 1 seed. In this Semifinal the Warriors kept their upset mojo going by toppling the 2nd seeded EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERS. Corban University parlayed a 53-40 lead over EOU at the break into a Century Club-level 100-90 triumph led by AJ Monterossi’s THIRTY-TWO points. 
SIX OVER THREE UPSET – The 6 seeds – the THOMAS UNIVERSITY NIGHT HAWKS – stunned the 3rd seeded SAINT THOMAS UNIVERSITY BOBCATS in this thriller. Chalk seemed to be carrying the day at Halftime as the Bobcats led the Night Hawks 35-29 but Thomas University came out of the break like men possessed, coming from behind for a 75-68 victory. For the first time in program history the Night Hawks won a Quarterfinal Game and move on to the Semifinals. Javoris Cooks led the winners with a Double Double of 15 points and 10 rebounds with teammate Katrell Myers close behind with 15 points and 9 rebounds. 
KEISER WAS WISER – The 4th seeded KEISER UNIVERSITY SEAHAWKS did battle with the 5 seeds – the JOHNSON & WALES (FL) WILDCATS in this game. The Seahawks trailed the Wildcats 36-34 at the break but in the 2nd Half they assumed command. Keiser University got more and more separation from Johnson & Wales and won the contest by a score of 78-65. The Seahawks were led by Stanley Whittaker with a TRIPLE DOUBLE of 20 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds. 
GRENADIERS ROLLING – The West’s 1 seed – the INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST GRENADIERS – took on the East’s 4th seeded UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE (OH) RED STORM. 
THREE OVER TWO UPSET – In this game the East’s 3rd seeded OHIO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TRAILBLAZERS did battle with the West’s 2 seed – the CINCINNATI CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES. 
WAKEUP CALL FOR TOP SEED – The top seeded BETHEL (IN) COLLEGE PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots) got almost more than they could handle from the 8 seeds – the GRACE COLLEGE LANCERS. The Lancers’ offense matched the Pilots blow for blow in the 1st Half, making the score 54-54 headed into the locker room. After the break Bethel College gradually put some distance between themselves and Grace College for a Century Club-level 102-92 victory. Gage Ott led the Pilots with 25 points, while teammate Clay Yeo notched 21. 
OVERTIME FOR NUMBER TWO – The League’s 2nd seeded INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS – the defending National Champions, by the way – needed OVERTIME to dispatch the 7th seeded HUNTINGTON UNIVERSITY FORESTERS. The Wildcats actually trailed the Foresters 49-40 at the Half but came back to force OT with an 88-88 tie. In the extra session IWU won it 109-100 led by Lane Mahurin’s 30 points and 8 rebounds. 
INSTANT CLASSIC – The tightest game of the night was played between the 3rd seeded CALUMET COLLEGE CRIMSON WAVE and the 6 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS (IL) FIGHTING SAINTS. Despite a pitiful night from the Foul Line (Just 56.5 percent!) the Crimson Wave still managed to win this hardcourt epic 84-82. Damonte Lowery tossed in 21 points and had 6 rebounds for Calumet College, while his teammate Darrick Scott notched a Double Double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. 
CATFIGHT – This game pitted the 4 seeds – the OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY TIGERS – against the 5th seeded SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY COUGARS. After an action-packed First Half the Tigers trailed the Cougars by a score of 51-46. Following the break Olivet Nazarene’s defense virtually shut down SXU while adding 45 more points of their own for a 91-77 triumph. Nic Reed led the way with 30 points and 9 rebounds followed by Tyler Crater’s 25 points and 6 boards. 
… At least it does in the Divisions covered here at Balladeer’s Blog. Per tradition the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference is the first to hit the hardcourt with their Conference Tournament. 
Balladeer's Blog 